Roundwood Recreation Area Receives Almost €500k Under New Strategy.

The project received €495,000 towards a bike hub, bridge, signage, waymarking and promotion.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today launched Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors - an ambitious and transformational National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.

The five year strategy was launched in Castlecomer Discovery Park in Co. Kilkenny, where the Ardra Loop Walk and Arboretum Walk was also officially opened by the Minister.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors was developed in partnership with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government strategy that reflects the views of stakeholders and the public. The new strategy will set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come bringing huge economic and health benefits to communities across the country.

One of the projects receiving funding under this strategy is the Roundwood Recreation Area, which received €495,000 towards the provision of a bike hub, bridge, signage, waymarking and promotion of the project.

Launching Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, Minister Humphreys said:

“The pandemic awakened a new discovery to explore amongst the Irish public. When we were confined to our counties or we could only meet friends and family outdoors, we gained a new found appreciation for the unique amenities we have on our doorstep whether it’s our forest parks, our mountain trails, our rivers, our greenways or our stunning beaches.

“Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is about building on this momentum. It is about the strategic development of Ireland’s Outdoor Recreation sector so we can deliver maximum benefits to communities across the country. 

“Those benefits are huge. Spending time outdoors supports our mental and physical health and it improves our quality of life. There also huge economic benefits, particularly for rural communities, with over 2.7m overseas visitors taking part in outdoor activities every year in Ireland.   Through this Strategy – I believe we can make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism."

List of other successful projects include:

Glenmalure Community Riverside Walk and Recreation Area, Upgrade of existing Trail: €119,790.00

Coolkenno Equestrian Trail, Construction of equestrian trail and associated access: €198,000.00

Blessington Greenway - Russborough Parklands and House Trail, Enhancement of the trails within Russborough Parklands: €178,380.00